As someone who has followed the MCU from its inception, I was eagerly looking forward to the release of The Falcon and the Winter Soldier. As a fan of both characters, I was excited to see them come together for their own series, and the show did not disappoint. However, as the show progressed, it faced both triumphs and missteps, and it's important to reflect on those and analyze the themes present, including the critiques of the show's neoliberal themes and villainization of the left and radical anti-oppression movements. One of the show's triumphs was its exploration of Sam Wilson's character and his relationships in more depth. Sam has always been a fan favorite, but he was never given the same amount of screen time as Captain America or Iron Man. The show finally gave him the attention he deserved, and it was excellent to see his struggles with his decision to take up the shield and become the next Captain America. Additionally, the show's exploration of Bucky Barnes' character, his struggles with past trauma, and his relationship with Sam were also great additions. However, the show was not without its missteps. One of the main issues was the inconsistency in the development of the show's villains. The Flag-Smashers were constructed to be complex and sympathetic characters, but their motivations were not fleshed out properly, and their arc was ultimately unsatisfying. Additionally, the introduction of John Walker, the new Captain America, was handled poorly. The character was rushed into the story, and his development felt lackluster, making it difficult for the audience to empathize with him, making it easier to hate him when he does do some legitimately vile shit in the last 3 episodes. When it comes to the themes of the show, one that stands out is the idea of legacy and who is worthy of it. This is explored through the transition of the Captain America mantle from Steve Rogers to Sam Wilson. Sam struggles with the idea of taking up the shield, because it has such immense significance and he feels that he is not worthy of it. This is compounded by the fact that the country he is supposed to represent does not seem to share his values, especially when faced with the truth of Isaiah Bradley's existence. It is a poignant commentary on the idea of race, American exceptionalism and what it truly means to represent the United States, especially with Sam being a black man . Critiquing the show's themes, it's important to address its neoliberal messaging. The show lionizes Sam as a hero for working within the system to create change, ignoring the fact that meaningful change often comes from more radical, anti-oppression movements pushing for systemic change. In this sense, the show's message can be seen as a justification of the status quo and the existing power structures. Additionally, there is a clear vilification of the left in the Flag-Smashers' portrayal as aggressive and dangerous, drawing parallels to real-world political rhetoric. The Falcon and the Winter Soldier had its ups and downs as a series, but it was an overall great addition to the Marvel Cinematic Universe. The exploration of Sam and Bucky's characters was well done, and the themes of legacy and representation were thought-provoking. However, the show's treatment of its villains and its neoliberal messaging and villainization of the left are valid points of criticism that should be considered.